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RB Dow Public transport advocate Ex soldier RAAMC PTE CPL SGT SSGT LT CAPT (Ret'd) Retired Medical Scientist FAIMS

Sep 15, 2020, 19 tweets

Cudgewa
VR branch from NE line at Wodonga to Cudgewa

Opened:
Wodonga - Bandiana - Huon Lane 1889
Huon Lane - Bolga 1890
Bolga - Tallangatta 1891
Tallangatta - Shelley 1916
Shelly - Beetomba 1919
Beetomba - Cudgewa 1921

Closed:
Bandiana - Cudgewa 1981

vrhistory.com/VRMaps/Vic1930…

1928 Timetable Wodonga - Cudgewa
victorianrailways.net/timetables/192…

Cudgewa 1964
victorianrailways.net/signaling/comp…
1960s Cudgewa became the railhead for the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

In the late 1950's a K class on the slow upgrade to Shelley.
(L.Holmes Collection)
cudgewapictures.blogspot.com/2007/12/
Steep grades were a feature on the line. Rated by many as VR's finest branch line.

T 413 Cudgewa 1978
Chris Wurr
victorianrailways.net/photogallery/n…
T413 is probably the only VR DEL that operated in service on 3 gauges.
Delivery run actually pulled freight on 4' 8.5". Fyansford 3' 6" (D1) and VR on the 5' 3".
Fitted with dynamic brakes, favoured for this line.

D1 at Fyansford c. 1957
On 3' 6" the gauge used at the Fyansford. When the quarry closed in 1966 D1 was sold to VR - numbered T413 re-gauged to 5' 3". Then often used on the Cudgewa line because it had dynamic braking.
P G Dow

Late 1950's, the "High" bridge between Darbyshire and Bullioh from the footplate of a K class.
L.Holmes Collection
cudgewapictures.blogspot.com/2007/12/

T 413 on a down Wodonga to Cudgewa goods at Beetoomba. May 31 1974
victorianrailways.net/photogallery/n…

TRESTLE ON WODONGA TO CUDGEWA LINE APRIL 1922 - Public Record Office Victoria wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/VPRS…

'Battling uphill on 1 in 30 gradients a K Class is bound for Cudgewa in Victoria's northeast mountains. During the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme this line saw tonnages that it was never designed to carry.'
pinterest.com.au/pin/6210746048…

Cudgewa 1957
P G Dow

Cudgewa creek - west of Cudgewa
P G Dow 1957
Photograph taken from rail motor

1950s, the volume of Hume Reservoir was increased, with the railway around Tallangatta relocated to avoid the rising waters.
Old Tallangatta station (now under water).
New Tallangatta station
P G Dow 1957

Koetong Bridge
P G Dow 1957

Huon Bridge
P G Dow 1957

Film:
Fireman's view from up Cudgewa line goods train in 1971
T413

Line closed 1981. Last goods was in 1978, last passenger service 1961.
Most of the former right of way is now the High Country Rail Trail.
ridehighcountry.com.au/rail-trails/hi…
Shelley Station was Victoria's highest railway station.

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